Inspiring students to think big about their future is a key use of technology in the small, rural South Umpqua School District in southern Oregon, Superintendent Erika Bare says.
“We have to broaden the world for them, and we have to bring experiences to them or show them experiences that they might not see otherwise,” Bare said during an interview at the Future of Education Technology Conference on Tuesday.
FETC has guided Bare in using virtual field trips to help her students connect with experts, explore higher education and potential career paths, visit museums and engage with the world outside their tight-knit community. Bare was particularly inspired by FETC’s drone show, which was performed Monday night by CTE students from Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley Schools.
“It was incredible in terms of opening up what is possible when we put tools in the hands of our kids and really support them with learning the technology,” she said.
Bare also examined ways schools are using AI and other technology to reduce the administrative load on educators and make it easier for teachers to differentiate instruction to support all students’ needs.
“We can outsource some tasks to technology so teachers can focus on what matters in the classroom—on building those connections, on focusing on the individual needs of the students,” she said. “Using all of these tools, suddenly it’s possible.”
AI spreads good news
Superintendent Erick Alfonso presented on how his district, New Jersey’s Belleville Public Schools, is using AI to improve school climate. He and his team use AI to drive its Belleville Brilliance initiative to spread good news about the district.
Alfonso, who became superintendent in July, has formed an AI task force to manage the integration of the technology across the district to connect its various platforms. With New Jersey developing a statewide AI policy for K12, he and his team are also working to build teachers’ expertise in AI so they can show students how to use the technology responsibly.
Like many other K12 leaders, Alfonso is excited for his teachers to use AI to break down data so instruction can be individualized to each student. Creating more time for teachers to connect with students is key in a district with higher poverty and higher needs.
His administrators use AI to process student data more quickly for state reports. “AI has been a real game changer, and it’s evident everywhere,” Alfonso said.
Finding like-minded leaders
For nearly a decade, attending FETC has been an annual tradition for Superintendent Chuck Lane to find innovative solutions and technologies that can’t be found locally.
“It’s [FETC] just one of the best things of the year for me as a superintendent,” said the Centralia High School District leader. He explains that the “sheer volume” of the opportunities showcased at the event and the lack of “high-pressure” sales tactics found at other conventions make FETC a valuable experience.
Lane also finds networking a crucial component of FETC. The Illinois leader, who oversees a district with a roughly 65% low-income rate, looks for opportunities to connect with leaders facing similar challenges.
“I try to find like-minded superintendents leading districts with similar demographics and find what’s working for them,” he explained. These connections often last years after meeting, he adds.
Like most leaders attending FETC, integrating artificial intelligence is a top priority for Lane. Rather than tunnel visioning on student use, he is looking for ways to enhance staff productivity and instruction.
“We’re worried less about using AI for students but more for our staff to make them better teachers,” he noted.
His special education teachers, specifically, can benefit tremendously from the technology. Writing individualized education programs is a “painstaking process” that eats up most of his teachers’ time. He recognizes that AI can help assist with creating goals and objectives, giving teachers more time to spend with students.
Lane said it’s important for superintendents to stay “tech-savvy.” National summits are critical for exploring emerging technologies that leaders can utilize to bridge the gap between small districts and major urban centers.
“I want our kids to have the same advantages as kids in Chicago or St. Louis or wherever around us,” he said. “You never stop learning. And coming to stuff like this makes me a better leader, which makes our principals better, our teachers better and our students better.”
